Real Madrid 4 - 1 Atletico Madrid (Spanish League Day 14)

Jose Mourinho said the derby against Atletico would be difficult, aware of how the very nature of these games transform the teams that play them. Atletico's intention was to give the game a sort of stop-start nature, especially after Courtois was sent off. Eventually, after 45 minutes they couldn't keep this up any longer and Real Madrid turned the score around and showered them with goals.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored the last goal of the match

Atletico positioned themselves well on the pitch and even tried to score on occasion, eventually netting their only strike of the evening when Adrian defeated Casillas while possibly being offside. Real Madrid reacted and Di Maria served a perfect pass to Benzema, who was tackled in the area by Courtois. Cristiano Ronaldo took the penalty and netted the equaliser.

Atletico decided to try to stop Real with fouls and this kept Mourinho's men from having clear chances on Asenjo's goal. Nevertheless, Benzema had a good one, but Dominguez only just managed to clear his shot.

The Whites truly worked on winning the clash after half-time. Cristiano Ronaldo crossed the ball into the box on the 48-minute mark and Di Maria finished it off beautifully. Atletico stayed close to their box trying to cover spaces as best they could, but in the 64th minute, Godin made a huge mistake in a clearance and Higuain, having just come on for Di Maria, snatched the ball from Asenjo and scored a third for the team.

Godin was sent off on the 82-minute mark, giving another penalty to Real that was again converted by Ronaldo, sealing the match 4-1 and giving the Madridistas a 13th straight win this season.

Summary

Stadium: Santiago Bernabeu
Attendance: 80,000
Goals: 0-1, m. 16: Adrián. 1-1, m. 24: Cristiano Ronaldo (pen). 2-1, m. 50: Di María. 3-1, m. 64: Higuain; 4-1, m. 82: Cristiano Ronaldo (pen).

Real Madrid 6 - 2 Dinamo Zagreb (UCL Day 5)

Real Madrid needed only eight minutes to resolve tonight's clash against Dinamo Zagreb with three goals, and therefore establishing a new record in the European championship. Sahin made his starting debut in a spectacular performance of the Whites against an opponent that hardly fought back.

Benzema and Özil celebrate one of the Real Madrid goals

Real's 1,500th official match at the Bernabeu saw Casillas, Pepe, Cristiano Ronaldo and Khedira start on the bench, but despite the changes on the lineup the Madridistas' hunger was a strong as ever, tallying three goals in the opening eight minutes, a first in the Champions League. Benzema started the pour in the 2nd minute and was followed by Callejon four minutes later and by Higuain on the 8-minute mark with an individual effort.

Mourinho's men took a breather and lowered the pace of the game by extending their possession while Zagreb hardly left their box. A Kelava clerance landed at Ozil's feet and the German easily tallied a fourth for his team.

Granero, Altintop and Albiol came on for Ramos, Ozil and Xabi Alonso at the start of the second half, which unfolded very much like the first. Callejon defeated Kelava again after being assisted by Varane (48') and Real continued to hammer the visitors, who just waited for them to get tired of scoring goals; Kelava made a couple of solid saves to clear shots by Higuain and Callejon.

A spectacular heel pass from Higuain to Benzema on the edge of the box kickstarted and individual effort of the French striker, who controlled the ball, entered the box and netted the team's sixth and final strike of the evening. This way, Real Madrid reached their best goal tally in the Champions League against Genk of the 2002/03 campaign. Then, when everyone thought Madrid would continue to score more strikes, Zagreb tallied one of their own on the 80-minute mark from a Beqiraj header in the first chance they had on Adan's goal.

The Whites fought back and nearly scored again through Benzema, whose spectacular bicycle-kick shot hit the crossbar. Tomecak netted a second strike for Dinamo again in the final minute, but this final action did not tarnish Real's spectacular victory one bit. The Whites will go thorugh to the Last 16 as group leaders with one game yet to be played in the group stage.

Summary

Stadium: Santiago Bernabeu
Attendance: 73,000
Goals: 1-0, m.2: Benzema. 2-0, m. 6: Callejón. 3-0, m. 9: Higuaín. 4-0, m. 20: Özil. 5-0, m. 49: Callejón. 6-0, m. 66: Benzema. 6-1, m. 81: Beqiraj. 6-2, m. 90: Tomecak.

Valencia 2 - 3 Real Madrid (Spanish League Day 13)

Real Madrid suffered to the last minute to earn a victory against Valencia that keeps them at the top of the table. The three points taken at Mestalla will prove important in the fight for the title. The Whites are the first side to win at the stadium this season.

Real Madrid players celebrate the victory

Real Madrid wore red for the first time ever in La Liga tonight. That was the first surprise of the night, the other being the presence of Lass, Khedira and Alonso all together in midfield. Valencia pressurised hard in the opening minutes, but thanks to the presence of the centre midfielders the Whites held their own, while Ronaldo and Benzema made the locals struggle on occasion. The Frenchman had a chance to net the opener on the 11-minute mark, but his shot was off target only by inches.

Benzema wouldn't be as forgiving a few minutes later and defeated Alves with his left foot following a free-kick by Alonso. Valencia didn't know how to react and Real gained control of the game, looking for a counterattack to finish it off. The Whites nearly scored a second through Ronaldo in the 41st minute after receiving an exceptional pass from Benzema, but his shot was too forced and Alves managed to clear it with his left foot.

Valencia's game was more aggressive in attack after half-time and they made trouble for the Whites, but they also left wide spaces behind them, something lethal against this Real Madrid side. Albiol came on for Arbeloa on the 50-minute mark.

The game started to have a stop-start nature and also became rough to detriment of the Madridistas, who saw too many bookings. Nevertheless, the visitors scored a second strike through a Ramos header following a free-kick served by Ozil (70'). Mourinho then decided to bring Higuain on for Benzema.

Valencia never gave up and Soldado scored a first for his team despite a good save from Casillas (75'). Three minutes later, Alves misjudged a divided ball, loosing it to Cristiano who then tallied a third for his team. But Valencia stood their ground and Soldado scored again on the 82-minute mark, starting a local onslaught on Casillas' goal that even saw another goal by the striker being disallowed (90'). Aduriz, who had previously put Iker's reflexes to the tes, sent the ball to one of the posts as he tried to finish off a free-kick in inury time (94'). This effort brought the game to an end.

Summary

Stadium: Mestalla
Attendance: 45,000
Goals: 0-1, m.20: Benzema. 0-2, m.73. 1-2, m.75: Soldado. 1-3, m.79: Cristiano Ronaldo. 2-3, m.83: Soldado.

Real Madrid 7 - 1 Osasuna (Spanish League Day 12)

Real Madrid today played a 12:00 (local time) match at the Bernabeu for the first time, defeating Osasuna with a whopping 7-1 score thanks in part to yet another Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick. Nuri Sahin made his debut and received a standing ovation from the crowd, which is anxious to see last season's top Bundesliga player in action.

Benzema and Cristiano punished Osasuna

Higuain and Arbeloa made the starting lineup. Real had a less frantic start to the match today, showcasing less intensity but maintaining their goal scoring instincts intact. They constantly reached Osasuna's box and hardly experienced any trouble near their own goal. An excellent cross from Di Maria was headed in by Ronaldo on the 22-minute mark, starting the ensuing pour that was preceded nonetheless by a cheeky effort from the visitors: Raul Garcia took a free-kick very quickly and Ibrahima controlled the ball, defeating Casillas in a one-on-one (30'). This was Osasuna's fist and only time near the keeper's goal in the entire match.

Real reacted quickly. Di Maria served another cross and Pepe also scored the second from a header. This was a harsh blow to Mendilibar's men. The Whites noticed and looked to seal the match with a third strike, netted by Higuain through one of the top corners of the goal after being assisted by Di Maria inside the area and spectacularly overtaking Lolo.

Unfortunately, Di Maria had to leave the pitch on a stretcher at the start of the second half. Benzema came on for the Argentinean, who had been Real's best man until then. With nothing left to lose, Osasuna started attacking more and Mourinho's men used this to score more goals from counterattacks. In one of these, Ozil reached the opponent's box and was challenged late by Sarustegui, who was sent off with a second booking. Cristiano scored a fourth for the Merengues in the penalty (54') and, three minutes later, tallied another header following a precise cross from Arbeloa.

Osasuna just waited for the match to end as they withstood the locals' onslaught. Benzema scored a fifth for his side in the 61st minute and Mourinho decided to allow Sahin to make his debut amidst the party atmosphere. The Turkish player replaced Khedira and positioned himself next to Xabi Alonso. Callejon then came on for Ozil.

Real logically decreased the intensity of their performance in the last 15 minutes, but they still looked for more goals. Sahin nearly scored from a free-kick and Osasuna continued to make mistakes in defence. Benzema used this to tally the final strike of the match from a powerful shot inside the box. Being one man down completely weakened Osasuna, who offered no resistance until the end of the clash.

Summary

Stadium: Santiago Bernabeu
Attendance: 83,000
Goals: 1-0, m. 23: Cristiano Ronaldo. 1-1, m. 30: Ibrahima. 2-1, m. 34: Pepe. 3-1, m. 40: Higuain. 4-1, m. 54: Cristiano Ronaldo (pen.). 5-1, m. 58: Cristiano Ronaldo. 6-1, m. 62: Benzema. 7-1, m. 81: Benzema.

O. Lyon 0 - 2 Real Madrid (UCL Day 4)

Real Madrid earned a fourth victory in this season's Champions League by defeating Olympique Lyonnais at Stade Gerland for the first time. Cristiano Ronaldo scored a brace, tallying his 100th official strike as a Madridista. The Whites have qualified for the Last 16.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored the two goals of the team

Benzema and Ozil made the starting lineup. Lass played as right back replacing the injured Arbeloa. Mourinho's team played as in recent games, having many chances early on. Benzema nearly netted an opener on the 9-minute mark, forcing Lloris to make the most spectacular save in the match. Cristiano served a free-kick close to the box in the 23rd minute and sent the ball to the back of the net. It was his 99th strike as a Madridista.

Olympique deflated and the Whites had chance after chance under the direction of Ozil and Di Maria. Lloris was his team's best man and agan cleared a Benzema strike, this time inside the box. The keeper later cleared a shot by Ozil (43') and it looked like the Madridistas were being too merciful, so much that Gourcuff eventually faced Casillas alone, but sent the ball over the crossbar.

The locals were more aggressive in attack after half-time, leaving wide open spaces for Real to counterattack in with ease. One was spearheaded by Ozil on the 61-minute mark; he passed the ball to Di Maria and centre back Cris was forced to clear it.

Mourinho made Albiol come on for Coentrao (63') and Cristiano continued his search for his 100th official goal, coming close to getting it from a long shot from outside the box that Lloris strained himself to clear.

Casillas made a double save in the 67th minute and moments later referee Rizzoli awarded the Whites a penalty when Ronaldo was challenged in the area. The Portuguese stepped up and converted it into his much-sought strike.

Higuain came on for Benzema in the 70th minute. Eight minutes later, Briand sent the ball to the crossbar from a header in his team's best chance of the evening. The locals kept looking for a goal in the final minutes to no avail. Callejon came on for Di Maria in the 83rd minute, and Briand again had a chance to score, but having defeated Casillas sent the ball off target (89'). Ozil then nearly tallied a third for Real, but Lloris again saved the day.

Summary

Stadium: Gerland Stadium
Attendance: 39,000
Goals: 0-1, min. 24: Cristiano Ronaldo; 0-2, min.70: Cristiano Ronaldo (pen.)